Killing Intent, My Banquet None Dare Refuse
Prince Nolan and Serena Feng returned alive. Dominic Zhai was delighted, but that didn’t mean everyone was happy— even those who had once belonged to Prince Nolan’s faction weren’t happy about his survival, because... they had betrayed him!
As Dominic Zhai rushed to welcome Prince Nolan and Serena into the city, the news that they were still alive quickly spread. However...
It would still take some time for the news to reach everyone.
This morning, His Highness Prince Rowan led a mighty army and presented prisoners in public, stirring up excitement at the Imperial Palace. At such a time, all the ministers were busy flattering the emperor inside the palace—who would care about what happened at the city gate?
Inside the Imperial City, the first to receive the news was William Wang Jinling.
Ever since returning to the city, William had his people monitor the city gate. Any disturbance, the Wang Clan would know—let alone the news that Prince Nolan and Serena had come back alive.
When William heard the news, his hand paused, and the smile on his face froze for a split second. Then, acting as if nothing had happened, he smiled and said, “So they really survived. Someone, prepare a congratulatory gift— I’ll deliver it in person.”
“Don’t worry, sir. Everything is already prepared,” replied the butler, who was always attentive and had made arrangements well in advance.
William gave the butler an approving look and walked out gracefully. Even though he was anxious, his steps remained calm and measured—only the frantic pounding of his heart betrayed his true feelings.
Prince Nolan, as always, no matter how urgent things were, would first escort Serena back to Feng Manor before returning to his own residence.
As it happened, Prince Nolan and William arrived at Feng Manor at the same time, their carriages pulling in one after the other.
The people of Feng Manor still didn’t know Serena had returned, so no one came out to greet them. Lately, the whole manor had been cautious— with Serena’s fate uncertain, no one dared to act openly. They’d gone to the city gate every day for news, and nearly got arrested as spies by the Bloodcloak Guard.
Prince Nolan and William stepped down from their carriages at the same time. Their eyes met; sparks flew, but both looked away as if nothing had happened.
William stood by his carriage, smiling warmly and elegantly, his gaze fixed on the plain carriage, waiting for Serena to appear.
He couldn’t relax until he saw with his own eyes that Serena was safe.
He didn’t have to wait long—Prince Nolan helped Serena down from the carriage. Seeing her unharmed, William’s anxious heart finally settled, and his smile grew even more gentle.
William’s smile was so dazzling, even the sunlight seemed to pale beside it. Prince Nolan would never admit that he found William’s smile irritating.
Even after helping Serena off the carriage, Prince Nolan didn’t let go of her hand, leading her over to William.
“Jinling.” Serena smiled and greeted William.
“Serena, I’m just glad you’re safe.” William nodded briefly to Prince Nolan’s cold stare, ignoring him and focusing on Serena with a smile.
“Sorry to have worried you— there was a bit of trouble on the road,” Serena said, genuinely embarrassed. She could imagine how anxious William and the others must have been when they heard something had happened to her.
“It’s good you know we were worried,” William half-chided, half-doted. “Serena, do you realize how much we worried when we heard you were in trouble? You’re far too careless— even if you’re safe, you should have sent word to ease our minds.”
Serena felt even more embarrassed at that, and awkwardly replied, “I’m sorry for making you worry. It all happened so suddenly— we were trapped in a small mountain village, and had no one to send a message.”
“Is that so?” William glanced at Prince Nolan, clearly unconvinced. Serena gave a couple of embarrassed laughs, not sure what else to say.
Fortunately, William couldn’t bear to make things difficult for Serena, so he didn’t press further. Instead, he said gently, “Serena, you coming back safe is the best thing. The whole Feng Manor has been worried about you—Simon Sun has lost weight from worry. Go inside quickly and put their minds at ease.”
With that, he prepared to go into Feng Manor together with Serena.
“Alright.” Serena nodded quickly— as long as William didn’t blame her, she’d agree to anything.
Prince Nolan gave Serena’s hand a tug, signaling her to wait. Serena glanced at him, but he didn’t look at her. Instead, he said to William, “You arrived early, but Serena is exhausted and can’t host guests. If you don’t mind, why not join me at the Ninth Prince Residence?”
The Wang–Cui alliance marriage, even if he could guess the reason, still required an explanation from the Wang Clan.
“Inviting me to the Ninth Prince Residence at a time like this—aren’t you afraid people will talk?” William smiled gently, his refusal clear.
“You’re right, Grand Heir. It wouldn’t be appropriate to invite you alone at a time like this. I’ve decided— tonight at The Windchaser Inn, I’ll host a banquet for the heads of the Wang, Cui, and Hsieh clans, as well as Prince Rowan and others. Consider it a celebration of my narrow escape from death.”
On those last words, Prince Nolan’s voice hardened, making his anger clear.
William’s expression didn’t change, but a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Prince Nolan really had been ambushed—he suspected these people were involved and meant to confront them.
Seeing William hesitate, Prince Nolan pressed him, “What’s wrong? Won’t you give me the honor?”
William snapped out of it, glanced at Serena, and bowed slightly to Prince Nolan. “Not at all. I’ll clear out The Windchaser Inn and attend on time.”
“It’s my honor that the Wang Patriarch will attend,” Prince Nolan replied, his words both polite and distant. Serena sensed something was off, frowning slightly, but couldn’t read the undercurrents between the two men.
Serena glanced at Prince Nolan, then at William. But both were masters at hiding their thoughts, so she couldn’t figure out anything and had to stand aside like a bystander.
Just then, the people of Feng Manor noticed Serena. Someone shouted, “Miss Feng! Miss Feng is back!”
“Miss Feng is safe! I see her—Miss Feng is really back!”
The shout was so loud that even through the main gate, Serena and the two men heard it. Immediately, the doors of Feng Manor swung open and both masters and servants rushed out—leading the way was Simon Sun.
When he saw Serena, the usually reserved Simon Sun actually jumped up. “Master, you’re alive! You’re alive! This is wonderful!”
“Miss, it’s such a relief you’re safe!” Tong Jue and Tong Yao followed right behind, refusing to be outdone.
“Miss, you’re finally back! We were all worried sick about you!” Chunhui, Qiuhua, Xiawan, and Dongqing crowded around Serena, pulling her close, laughing and crying at once.
The butler, standing at the back of the crowd, wiped away tears, his face full of relief.
She’s home. That’s all that matters.
Feng Manor is only Feng Manor with Serena here— without her... it’s nothing.
The guards, seeing Serena return alive, all breathed a sigh of relief. Normally, they didn’t think much of it, but after hearing she was in trouble, they realized—even as a woman, Serena was the true head of the Feng Clan. With her here, they could stand tall.
Everyone at Feng Manor only had eyes for Serena, pushing Prince Nolan and William aside. Prince Nolan found it amusing and didn’t disturb her—he said nothing and simply got back into his carriage.
William wanted to go inside and talk to Serena about everything that had happened, but remembering Prince Nolan’s banquet tonight, he let out a barely audible sigh.
The very first thing Prince Nolan did upon returning to the capital was invite them to a banquet—there was no way it would be a simple dinner.
Tonight, a fierce battle was inevitable. Since Prince Nolan had warned him in advance, William had to prepare, so he wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.
He wouldn’t have time to visit Feng Manor today.